Decorator, Art Nouveau, Tric Trac, Musee du Louvre, Paris c1850 Plate 24

This print is a copy of the original design released for production c1875

Date: Purchased by The Louvre c1852

Artist: Damier was designed by Louis Vitton and Son

Previous owner: Count of Arjuzon

Price: $150 

Paper Size: 445 x 300mm

Print Size: 245 x 250mm

Condition: very good

Technique: Copperplate Engraving with later hand colouring

Provenance:

This board was for the game titled Tric Trac

the Louvre, Paris

Trictrac is a French board game of skill and chance for two players that is played with dice on a gameboard similar to that of backgammon. It was "the classic tables game” in France in the way that backgammon is in the English-speaking world. 

Trictrac's gaming interest lies in its multiple combinations, the importance of decision-making and its comprehensive rules which have been well documented and remained stable since the early 17th century. It requires constant attention from the players whether or not it is their turn. Its vocabulary, which is very rich, frequently occurs in French literature.

The object of the game is not to get out the men as quickly as possible as in Jacquet or backgammon but to score as many points as possible. The game usually ends before all the men have been borne off. The name is sometimes spelt tric trac or tric-trac.

Trictrac was very popular in France at the royal court and in aristocratic circles in the 17th and 18th centuries. It experienced a renaissance during the Restoration before almost disappearing at the end of the 19th century. It was one of a family of games of skill and chance that included backgammon, then known in France as tous tables, and Jacquet, which was much simpler and did not appear until around 1800. 

This print was purchased by the Director General of Museums for The Louvre in Paris